State of the Industry Dashboard
This interactive dashboard provides a high-level overview of the freight forwarding landscape. Select a segment below to filter the data and explore the strategic differences between smaller and larger players, a central theme of the 2026 outlook.
Top Strategic Priorities for 2025
Key Segment Stats
15%
Have No Major Modernization Initiatives Planned
51%
Likely to Invest in AI This Year
31%
Are Revising Pricing or Commercial Strategies
The Modernization Roadmap
As forwarders digitize, their efforts are focused on practical actions that yield immediate efficiency. Automating routine workflows is the top priority across the board, forming the foundation for more advanced digital transformation.
Shipper Satisfaction with 3PL Tech
A significant 38% of shippers are not satisfied with their logistics partners' current tech capabilities, creating a clear opportunity for tech-focused forwarders.
Top Modernization Actions Taken
The AI Frontier: Opportunity vs. Reality
Artificial Intelligence represents a massive growth vector, yet its adoption is throttled by a critical gap in skills and understanding. The primary hurdles are not technological, but human and organizational.
Biggest Challenges to AI Adoption
The Enduring Value of the Human Element
Despite the immense focus on technology, the industry's success still hinges on human connection. Trust, problem-solving, and adaptability are the irreplaceable capabilities that technology must augment, not replace.
The #1 Human Capability Contributing to Success Is...
Building & Maintaining
Trusted Relationships
...cited by 90% of all forwarders.
This rises to 97% for small forwarders, proving that personalized service remains their key competitive advantage.